Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising (At The Royal Albert Hall / 1970)

“Bad Moon Rising” – Single by Creedence Clearwater Revival from the album Green River
B-side: “Lodi”
Released: April 16, 1969
Recorded: March 1969
Label: Fantasy
Songwriter: John Fogerty
Producer: John Fogerty

“Bad Moon Rising” is not only one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s (CCR) most famous songs, but it’s also a staple in the canon of rock and roll history. Written and produced solely by frontman John Fogerty, “Bad Moon” carries an important message when listening closely to the lyrics.

Fogerty was inspired by the story of The Devil and Daniel Webster, a 1941 film based on the 1936 short story of the same name. The plot follows a man named Jabez Stone, a poor farmer who makes a deal with the devil, known as Mr. Scratch, to save his land and crops, selling his soul in the process. Chaos ensues throughout the film, including an offer from the devil to extend the deal in exchange for the soul of Stone’s son.

Fogerty says the imagery in the song is based on that of the film, stemming from one scene in particular. “At one point in the movie, there was a huge hurricane,” Fogerty recalled to Rolling Stone in 1993. “Everybody’s crops and houses are destroyed. Boom. Right next door is the guy’s field who made the deal with the devil, and his corn is still straight up six feet. That image was in my mind. I went, ‘Holy mackerel!’”

It is one of five songs by the band that peaked at the No. 2 spot on the U.S. Billboard chart and did not get to No. 1. It was blocked by “Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet” by Henry Mancini.

I see the bad moon a-risin’
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin’
I see bad times today

Don’t go around tonight
Well it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

I hear hurricanes a-blowin’
I know the end is comin’ soon
I fear rivers over flowin’
I hear the voice of rage and ruin

Don’t go around tonight
Well it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise, alright

Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye

Well don’t go around tonight
Well it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

Don’t come around tonight
Well it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise